Electroplating apparatus



Oct. 26 1926.

. J. G. swAlN ELECTROPLATING APPARATUS Filed Nov. l2, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Syvum/Hoz y L/sf/D/fv C. SWA/N.

I 61mm,

Oct. 26 1926. 1,604,618

J. G. swAlN ELECTROPLATI NG APPARATUS Filed Nov. 12, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet' 2 Patented Oct. 26, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFica.

. JOSEPH G. SWAIN, (IF AKRON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE FIBESTONE STEEL PROiDUCTS COMPANY, OF AKRON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

v:lairgncrnoiname APPARATUS.

Application filed November 12, 1923. Serial No. 674,118.

This invention relates to electroplating apparatus, particularly to apparatus for electroplating smallv articles such, for example, as bolts, nuts, orside clamps used in the mounting of pneumatic automobile rims. The invention has to do with an automatic conveying and plating apparatus by means of which the small articles are carried through successive baths or tanks to perform the plating operations thereupon, the mechanism operating to turn over the articles a number of times during their travel so that they are completely and satisfactorily plated.

It will be appreciated that the present application shows one embodiment only of the invention and that the principles thereof, as set forth in the appended claims, may be found in other forms and the invention is not limited to strict compliance with the showing, changes and modifications being allowable.

In the drawings:

Figure. 1 is an elevation of the receiving end of the plating apparatus;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the delivery end of the apparatus, being a continuation of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a transverse section on thev line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail of a portion of the chain construction;

Figure 5 is an end view thereof; and

Figure 6 is a cross-section on the line 6 6 of Figure 5.

The invention herein described and shown involves the provision of an endless chain or carrier made up of a series of .anodes upon which the small articles to be plated can be loosely supported and by which their positions are changed from time to time during the travel of the conveyor so that all parts and surfaces of the articles will be properly electroplated.

The conveyor referred to is indicated by the numeral 1 and comprises a long endless chain which, in the form of the invention shown, is made up of a series of plates or bars such as shown in Figures 4 to 6 inclusive. These plates are indicated by the numeral 2 and are made of copper or other suitable 'conductive material and are provided with longitudinal ribs 3 and a plurality of apertures 4 through which the electrolyte can pass. The end of the plates are formed with openings 5 and with outstandlng hooks 6 at one side which are designed to be received over the rounded surfaces 7 in the next adjacent bar. In this way all of the plates are connected together, as shown 1n Figure 4, in an endless link belt. The openings 5 are designed to be passed over a plurality of sprockets 8 which are supported at a plurality of points from uprights 9 which are arranged at spaced intervals along the floor.

The conveyor belt is drivenin any suitable manner and may be tightened by the adjustable take-up shown at 10. The belt 1s adapted to be electrically connected so that it will serve as the cathode in the plating operation.

The conveyor is adapted `to be passed through a series of tanks so that the articles are subjected to the usual steps in the electroplating process, all of these tanks being supportedupon the uprights 9. The articles` are loaded at the point L and the tank 10 first encountered is the soda tank, followed by the pickle tank 11, the conveyor dipping down into the baths contained in these tanks so that the articles are properly prepared for the electroplating process. The conveyor now passes through a housing in which are arranged a number of parallel spray pipes 12 above and below the conveyor so that the articles are thoroughly washed. i

From the washing device the conveyor belt passes into the electroplating tank 13. In this tank the sprockets 8 arearranged so that the conveyor has two bends or dips therein, as indicated at 14, so that the articles are tumbled from a higher to a lower level.' In this way their positions are changed and all of the surfaces of the articles will be subjected to the electroplating process..` Above the conveyor are arranged a plurality of anodes which, as shown, are inverted T-shaped bars 15 supported above vthe conveyor, those over the inclined runs of the conveyor being correspondingly stepped upwardly. The anodes ar'e connected to the source of the electric current and the electroplating tank is insulated, as shown at 16. At the edges of the conveyor are arranged side boards 17 which are designed to prevent the articles from spilling out of the conveyonthese side boards being supported fromhangers 18 which depend from the cross bars 19 which support the anodes.

From the plating tank the conveyor passes through two cabinets or casings 20 and 21, in which are arranged spray pipes 22, the former being a cold wash tank and the latter a hot wash tank. From the wash tanks the conveyor delivers the plated artlcles to a discharge chute 23.

It will be seen that there has been provided a simple and inexpensive form of plating tank for electroplating small articles which can be tumbled about on the conveyor belt. The device is automatic in its operation, making an extremely economlcal ar rangement for the purposes specified. Changes and modifications may be made 1n specic embodiments of the invention as will be understood by those skllled 1n the art. What is claimed is: 1. In an apparatus for electroplating small objects, the combination of .a continuous conveyor belt, said belt being composed of a plurality of plates adapted to act as cathodes and adapted to support the articles, and baths for performing the electroplating operations through which the conveyor passes to carry the articles therethrough in acontinuous stream. l

2. In an apparatus for electroplating small objects, the combination of a continuous conveyor belt, said belt being composed of electro conductive material and adapted to loosely support the articles, and a bath for performing the electroplating operation through which the conveyor'passes to pass a continuous stream of articles through the bath.

3. In an apparatus :for electroplating small objects, the combination of a continuous conveyor belt, said belt being composed of electro conductive material and adapted to loosely support the articles to be plated, a bath for performing the. electroplating operation through which the conveyor passes 'to carry the articles therethrough in a continuous' stream, and means for agitating the articles upon the conveyor.

4. In an apparatus for electroplating small objects, the combination of a continuous conveyor belt, said belt being composed of ,electro conductive material and adapted to looselyl sup ort the articles to be plated, a bath for pe orming the electroplating operation through which the conveyor passes to carry the articles therethrough in a continuous stream, and means for tumbling the articles upon the belt.

f 5. In an apparatus for electroplating small objects, the combination` of a continuous conveyor `belt comprising hinged plates -means for tumbling the articles about upon the surface of the conveyor. l

7. In an apparatus for electroplating small objects, the combination of a continuous conveyor belt adapted to support the articles and act as a cathode and to transport the articles in a continuous'stream, and means for bending the belt abru tly at intervals so that the articles are tum led about upon the conveyor.

8. 4In an a paratus for electroplatingl small objects, t e combination of a continuous conveyor belt adapted to support the articles loosely thereon and act as a cathode, and a plurality of anodes supported over the belt. j

9. In an apparatus for electroplating small objects, the combination of a continuous conveyor belt adapted to support the articles loosely thereon, and a plurality of anodes supported over the belt, the belt being electrically conductive.

10. In an apparatus for electroplating small objects, the combination of a contnuous conveyor belt adapted to support the' articles loosely thereon, a plurality of anodes supported over the belt Which is electrically. conductive, and means to agitate the articles upon the belt.

11. In an apparatus for electroplating small objects, the combination of a continuous conveyor belt, said belt-comprising plates of conductive material hingedly -connected together, a plurality of anodes supported over the belt, and sprockets to support and drive the belt, certain of said sprockets being arranged to form abrupt bends in the belt so as to tumble the articles thereon.

12. In an apparatus for electroplating small objects, the combination of a continuous conveyor belt, said belt comprising plates of conductive material hingedly connectedy .together, a plurality of anodes supported over the belt, sprockets to support and drive the belt, certain of said sprockets being ar` ranged to form abrupt bends in the belt so as to tumble the articles thereon, and means to confine the articles u on the belt.

. JOS PH G. SWAIN. 

